In the 9,200th year of the Blue Star Xia calendar, Unknown Star Domain

Inside an unnamed planet, a small survival base stands there. Perhaps it should not even be called a survival base; it is just a forward station for exploring the stars.

This outpost is more than twenty light-years away from the nearest survival base, and its main function is to be a transfer station for various information.

Life here is also very difficult; even supplies can only be sent once every hundred years. Similarly, personnel can only be rotated every hundred years. The ones truly stationed here long-term are the lifeless robots.

"Beep beep…"

It was another workday, and today the computer screen made a beeping sound.

"The Xingtu No. 18 probe has entered the Jiaxing No. 88 star system and has begun its exploration…"

"Please remember to record the data. The Jiaxing No. 88 star system is a candidate for life, and the chances of finding a planet with life here are very high…"

"The probe has fully deployed and is continuing to move deeper at a constant speed, now just 0.2 light-years away from the first body in the Jiaxing No. 88 star system…"

"······"

The ten or so workers at the outpost began their day, and their job was to collect and record various information about this area of the Star Domain. There are already hundreds of outposts like theirs set up by Blue Star, and the cost of such projects is enormous, with funds flowing out like water each year.

"Snap"

Three days later, a screen in the base suddenly went black, and the artificial intelligence set off an alarm.

"The Star Chart No. 18 spacecraft has lost contact. It was undergoing a self-check just twenty-four Blue Stars before losing communication. The reason for the loss of contact is unknown…"

"Activate the backup spacecraft, and send Star Chart No. 19 to take its place…"

The loss of the spacecraft did not panic the group. Anything can happen in space, and this is not the first time it has happened. They quickly launched the backup spacecraft and sent Star Chart No. 19 to replace Star Chart No. 18.

"Snap"

However, two weeks later, when Star Chart No. 19 arrived at the location of No. 18, it suddenly lost contact as well.

This made the group a bit suspicious. They did not continue to send more spacecraft; instead, they contacted the survival base for assistance.

········

Blue Star, Huaxia

When Xia Qingshan arrived, Lin Jiang was no longer surprised.

"There have been discoveries in the Alpha Star Domain."

"I know, I have already sent the Alpha Star Base Six to investigate. A small unmanned spaceship will go there. According to the current information, there is a high chance of finding a life planet in the Alpha Star Domain, especially in this No. 88 star system; it could very well be your hometown."

"In that case, why not go all out? With Blue Star’s current strength, reaching the Star Domain about two hundred light years away shouldn’t be too difficult."

Xia Qingshan said, his memory a bit confused. He remembered that his hometown should be a little over a hundred light years away, and now it was nearly two hundred light years.

But it didn’t matter. No matter if it was his hometown or a planet similar to Jiang Star, he desperately needed it. He was eager to become a five-star master.

"You know the situation in Lingqing Star over the years. The Buddhist sect has been sending people to test the waters. How can I dare to send out strong experts? What if we travel over two hundred light years and something happens to Lingqing Star?"

"You can ask for help from Heavenly Court."

"After seeking help, don’t we have to repay the favor? In the last two or three hundred years, we’ve earned hundreds of billions of Premium Spirit Stones from Canglan Star. You know how big of a cost we’ll have to pay for such a favor."

"Lin Jiang, my matters are the most important. You are disregarding me."

Xia Qingshan was anxious and exclaimed, "Isn’t his matter worth even a little kindness?"

"Xia Qingshan, how many times must I emphasize that Blue Star needs order and rules? Everything must be done according to the rules. We have waited for hundreds of years; a few more decades won’t make a difference."

"No, I order you to find out the news about the star system number eighty-eight of Planet A as quickly as possible, or else don’t blame me for taking action and disturbing your position."

"Hmph, Xia Qingshan, if you continue like this, there is nothing more to discuss. I know you can control many things, but how many experts above the Tao Achieving level in Blue Star would listen to you? Without us going to battle, how can you handle Lingyun Star?"

"You…"

Xia Qingshan was somewhat at a loss for words; yes, he had little way out unless he was sure he could match the immortal of Lingyun Star and take it by force. But that would also be very risky because the enemy could sacrifice the lives of beings from a planet.

"So, what would make you take this matter seriously?"

"Haven’t I always taken it seriously? Over the years, how much money have we spent and how many lives have been lost to find Lingyun Star? You know."

Lin Jiang replied that space exploration is a very dangerous undertaking. In these thousands of years, the space exploration projects of Blue Star have seen many accidents, and many people have died. These are all highly skilled talents, and it takes a lot of money to train even one.

"Speak plainly, I don’t like going around in circles."

"Fine, if you say so, then I will tell you, taking Lingyun Star is no problem, but I want someone to survive the trial."

"Survive the trial, is that all?"

"Yes, survive the trial, that shouldn’t be a big deal, right?"

"Not a big deal, I promised you that a long time ago."

Xia Qingshan nodded; this was something he had promised long ago. He needed allies to gather information in the Heavenly Court to deal with the Heavenly Emperor.

"What I want is to break through before we take Lingyun Star."

"You…"

"Xia Qingshan, let’s be honest, you don’t trust me, and I don’t trust you either. I’ve done a lot for you, and now I need to see some real benefits."

"Who do you want to help cross the tribulation?"

"Of course, it’s Cao Ying. She is the first Transmigration Stage of Blue Star, with the deepest cultivation, and has suppressed her powers for many years."

"No, let’s choose someone else."

"Who do you want me to choose, the Demon Queen, Shenwu Demon Emperor, Fire Scale Demon Emperor, or myself? Apart from us, no other Transmigration Stage has enough power."

"Um…"

Xia Qingshan was momentarily speechless. It really seemed to be true. In the past two hundred years, there had been a few more Transmigration Stages on Blue Star, but their foundation was too weak. Even Li Qing didn’t count. It seemed that only Cao Ying was a suitable choice.

"Okay, let’s have Cao Ying cross the tribulation. But I must say, if she fails, don’t blame me. I will take away her Dao rhythm."

Xia Qingshan said the chance of success in crossing the tribulation was very low, and many people fail. This is also why those star systems in the Buddhist realm have hundreds of Transmigration Stages at the same time. It’s not that they don’t want to succeed and become true Buddhas, but because the odds are too low; they need to be fully prepared.

"If she fails, why would I blame you? Am I the kind of person who causes trouble for no reason?"

"When will Cao Ying be arranged for her tribulation?"

"Not anytime soon. I will talk with Cao Ying first, then arrange for her to go into seclusion, which could take at least three to five years, or even two to three decades."

"That’s too long."

"That time is not considered long."

"Hmph."

Xia Qingshan let out a helpless cold snort, which meant he agreed; it really is not that long. There are many who prepare for their tribulation for thousands of years.

After Xia Qingshan left, Lin Jiang called Cao Ying back. For these years, Cao Ying has been the principal of the university. Because of her status, she has almost driven other Huaxia principals crazy, as the university needs resources, and other principals cannot compete with Cao Ying.

"You want me to go into seclusion for my tribulation?"

Cao Ying was quite surprised upon hearing this.

"Yes, I will enter seclusion to prepare for the trial."

"No need for seclusion; I can face the trial anytime."

"You still need to go into seclusion; it’s foolproof. It can only succeed, not fail."

"Fine, I’ll listen to you."

"So, you have three months to hand over your work. Is that okay?"

"No problem. I can just have a substitute take over."

Cao Ying nodded, but her gaze showed a bit of worry; she had realized something was not right.

"Okay, I won’t disturb your work. Go prepare; I need to prepare too. Facing the trial is a big deal!"

Lin Jiang smiled and said, facing the trial is a very big deal, a matter of life and death for them.